States of Matter 3.7 The student knows that matter has physical properties B. Identify matter as liquid, solids, and gases

Matter Exists in one of three main states: solid, liquid, or gas

So what is a solid? Solids are usually hard because their molecules have been packed together. Solids also can hold their own shape.

A rock will always look like a rock unless something happens to it. The same goes for a diamond. Even when you grind up a solid into a powder, you will see little tiny pieces of that solid under a microscope.

What is a liquid? Water is a liquid. Your blood is a liquid. Liquids are an in-between state of matter. They can be found in between the solid and gas states.

Liquids will move and fill up any container.

LOOKING FOR A GAS? Gas is everywhere. Gases can fill a container of any size or shape. Think about a balloon. No matter what shape you make the balloon it will be evenly filled with the gas atoms.

Gas The molecules in a gas move around the most and are least tightly packed.